Nigeria: Tourist Health And Safety Guide

Nigeria is a generally safe country, health-wise. The general precautions against malaria and dehydration dangers in sub-Saharan Africa would apply here too. Swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers is not advised due to the danger of Bilharzia.

Alas! The same cannot be said for the safety conditions. An entire book can be written about the hazards of travelling in Nigeria. There are reports that the situation has improved since the restoration of civilian rule, but till very recently, reports of travelers being harassed by anybody from a petty thief to high-ranking police and army officials who make up all sorts of excuses to extract some dash out of you. The most serious reports are of travellers being accosted just outside Lagos’ Murtala Muhammad Airport by army officials who hold a gun to your head and demand around US$1000 as ‘protection’ money. The best thing to do under these circumstances is to remain calm and avoid handing over the money for as long as you can, but treat the officials with respect since they take themselves seriously. Hopefully, a senior official will intervene on your behalf.